The Iowa plain dealer. [volume] (New Oregon, Howard County, Iowa) 1867-1895, 1887-04-28

.You Americans are SO brave" MUIR
INJURED the senorita: ..but the brigands
are very bold. have seen them in the
suburbs of the Capital"
..Senorita.' answered, ..look at
this little toy. and tell me If highway
man would care to face 1t.
handed her my pistol. weapon Of
the latest improved pattern. She ex-
amined it with interest.
..Let me lay it on the seat here, and
sonceal it under my mantilla, she sug-
gsstcd. If we need it can hand il
to you quicker than you could draw It
from Your pocket
A. it was really good idea, con-
sented readily:
We did not suffer for topics Of con-
versation: but this girl. for she was
nothing M, re than girl, made such a
pretty picture in her strange costume
that found sufficient entertainment in
looking at her. was just beginning
to admit to myself that ] was madly in
love with her, when the diligeneia gave
a lurch, and came to full stop in a
dark AMI thickly-wooded place through
which we were passing.
..El Tornado shouted Gil Perez.
.Merciful saints" cried the senorita.
felt an uneasy thrill. FL Tornado
was the brayest and most desperate
brigand in that region. He had short
time before kidnapped wealthy bank
er, and in default Of a ransom had with
his own hand blown out the prisoner ;
brains.
Quick. Ny pistol'' exclaimed.
But a mysterious change had come
over the senorita. Before the words
were out of my mouth she had the
weapon at full cock leveled at my head.
.Senor Americana, she said, ut is
useless to resist. See.'
A glance showed that | was helpless.
Only four robbers were in sight, but
they were four against one, to say
nothing ofthe senorita. The men were
all masked. One held the horses of the
diligencia. another stood guard over
Gil Perez with pistol pointed ut his
head. while the two others. at either
window of the coach. covered me with
their weapons and demanded my valise.
1.-The senior will hand it to you.
Could that voice be the senorita )?
Undoubtedly it was, but it sounded
strangely.
With three reyolvers focused on me,
within few inches of my head. there
was nothing to do but to make the best
of it. l quietly delivered the valise
with its golden contents. The door
was opened and the scnorita was assist
ed out by one of the brigands. She
was Instant, helped into vacant sad
die, and Ell Tornado exchanged few
whispers with her. Then he turned to
ME.
Thanks, senior, for your attention
to this lady. You carry with you our
best wishes. Adios.'
..Ados, senor," chimcd in the lady.
waving her hand.
/ grumbled ont an answer. and the
little cavalcadc spurred off at gallop.
Gil Perez was of but little comfort to
me. He crossed himself several times,
and told me that | was lucky in escap-
ing from FL Tornado with my life.
Then he swore at Perditia, and dashed
the horses until they dashed forward at
the top of their speed.
One night week later was COM
ing out Of the opera-house with a
friend. The President and group of
officials came along, and we made way
for them. Suddenly face that once
seen could never be forgotten flashed
before my eyes. Leaning on tie arm
Of Observation-Disclosures officer in a
Colonels uniform was the senorita, my
| own senorita!
What is the mat,ero" asked my
friend
That woman!" | cried, WHO i
she?''
1.-The Sonora Alvarez. was the quick
answer.
"And the man,
..Her husband. Col. Alvarez.
Taken aback as was, thought o.
what was due to my friend. l told
him the whole story.
Il am sorry you have lost your sen
orita.' he said. with grim smile
"but keep your discovery to your self
have no doubt Alvarez does sometime
take hand in highway robbery under
the name of FL Tornado, and his wifi,
helps him. She posted the gang abou
your visit to Toboso. Everything tina
occurred was prearranged But 70,
have no remedy. Alvarez is an office
Of high standing. If you make tn
charge that he is FL Tornado you vii
be shot As sure rs fate.'
Other Americans took the sane view
and, as my client showed no disposition
to make fight for the recovery of hi
money. took my departure for tn
States without again seeing my scnorita